Small-Tank kerosene delivery business

Rural homeowners with kerosene heaters or small heating tanks, cabins, farms, workshops, contractors using space heaters, and small businesses.

You sell fuel per gallon with a margin over your wholesale cost, plus a delivery fee or minimum order. Repeat customers on seasonal or call-ahead schedules make revenue steadier.

• Safe handling of flammable liquids
• Driving and route planning
• Reliable customer service
• Basic bookkeeping and pricing

• Fuel dealer or distributor licenses, fire code permits and storage rules vary by state and county, so check before buying kit
• Commercial auto, general liability and pollution (spill) coverage. Many standard policies exclude fuel, so confirm what is covered
• Federal and state rules on transporting fuel in tanks and containers. Size limits and driver requirements may apply, so ask your state DOT
• Never mix up kerosene and gasoline, and use only clean, correctly labeled containers
• Fuel prices swing, so check how you will handle price changes with customers

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on whether you use a truck-mounted tank or totes, and on insurance. Get quotes for equipment and cover before you commit.

Rules vary by state and county, so check fuel dealer or distributor licenses, fire code permits and storage rules before buying kit. Also check federal and state rules on transporting fuel, and ask your state DOT about size limits and driver requirements.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your customers, route and fuel prices. Fuel prices swing, so check how you will handle price changes with customers. Plan on at least about 10 hours a week.